The Army Modernization Strategy - Second Line of Effort

The 2010 Army Modernization Strategy (AMS) describes how the U.S. Army plans to modernize and transform to provide our Soldiers with an affordable mix of the best equipment available to succeed in both current and future full-spectrum military operations. The second of three lines of effort of the AMS focuses on continuously modernizing equipment through procuring upgraded capabilities, recapitalization of existing systems, and divestment of outdated equipment.

What has the Army done?

The second line of effort in the AMS allows the Army to conserve resources while providing Soldiers the capabilities they need to win. The Army constantly evaluates existing weapons, equipment, and vehicles to see if they can be refurbished to "like-new" condition or upgraded to fill capability gaps. Equipment that cannot be adapted to the new requirements at a reasonable cost is removed from the Army inventory. The Army may replace several older systems with limited capabilities with a newer, more versatile system. The AH-64 Apache Helicopter is an example of how the Army can modernize existing equipment and avoid the cost of developing a new system. The Camel water transport system is an example of one system that will replace two older systems, the M149 and M1112 water trailers.

What continued efforts does the Army have planned for the future?

The Army will continue to analyze all its weapons, vehicles, and equipment to determine if a system is still relevant and if it can be affordably upgraded, or if it needs to be divested.

Why is this important to the Army?

The second line of effort of the AMS will allow us affordably to provide our Soldiers the tools they need through upgraded capabilities, recapitalization and divestment.

Events

SENIOR LEADERS ARE SAYING

"At its core, our history is the history of our people - ordinary Americans, ordinary men and women, who have done extraordinary things over time for this great country. Our history is a story of personal courage, selfless service and sacrifice by more than 30 million men and women who have served this country and served this Army over the last 235 years."

- Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr., giving credit of the Army's longevity to its Soldiers, at the Pentagon's Army Birthday celebration June 14

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

"A majority of these men had already been trained by the British, but they took what we trained them and what the British trained them on, and they combined it pretty effectively…I watched them transform from having all the tools they needed, to being able to use them effectively. It was pretty satisfying to feel confident that once we leave these men can control the situation and effectively stop anything that might cause a disruption of Iraqi peace."

- Sgt. Daniel Foley, 1st Battalion, 377th Field Artillery Regiment, 17th Fires Brigade, currently deployed to Basrah from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., speaking of the Iraqi Special Forces he has trained as a team leader of the aerial reaction force

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